MindCast premieres episode “Between prayers and therapy” with Father Miguel Vasconcelos

The Universidade Católica Portuguesa announces the launch of a new episode of MindCast, a podcast dedicated to mental health and psychological well-being, with a conversation that combines spirituality, faith, and emotional support.

Entitled "Between prayers and therapy", the episode features Father Miguel Vasconcelos, chaplain at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa in Lisbon and a leading figure in pastoral care for young people and university students. The conversation took place on the UCP headquarters and was recorded as part of the podcast's third season.

In a period marked by the approach of Christmas, the episode offers a realistic and uncomplicated reflection on how faith and spirituality can contribute to emotional balance, especially in times of fatigue, loneliness, pain or loss. Throughout the conversation, topics such as mental health care in everyday life, the main sources of emotional distress among young people, the role of spirituality as a space for hope, and the complementarity between faith and therapy are addressed.

Father Miguel Vasconcelos also shares his experience as a university chaplain, emphasising the importance of listening, closeness and discernment. He also highlights the role of the priest as the first point of emotional support in many situations, without ever replacing clinical care when it is necessary.

The episode also addresses lesser-discussed emotions associated with the Christmas experience, such as loneliness, inner emptiness, and the impact of recent losses, offering a human and empathetic perspective on faith as a source of comfort and meaning, especially in emotionally demanding years.

The episode "Between Prayers and Therapy" is available on Mindcast's Spotify.

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